The director general of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), José Graziano Da Silva, has offered his support for the Mexican government to help the agri-food and fisheries sector to combat atypical diseases affecting the shrimp farm.
The message was sent through the head of the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA), Mario Aguilar Sanchez, whom he met in Rome. The meeting was also attended by Ambassador of Mexico in Italy, Miguel Ruiz-Cabañas Izquierdo.
The FAO representative expressed support to help in whatever is needed to address diseases affecting shrimp culture in the northwestern region of Mexico, and thus overcome the crisis in the best way and in the shortest possible time.
In the framework of the FAO XXXII session held in Italy, Aguilar Sanchez stressed the need to address the problem that at least for at least two years has been affecting producers of farmed shrimp in China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand and that has been spread to Mexico.
In this regard, Graziano Da Silva announced that a regional workshop will be held in September 2014, where several countries will analyze the situation.
According to CONAPESCA, atypical diseases have caused a decline in farmed shrimp production of up to 60 per cent.
Aguilar Sanchez and FAO Director General discussed the need and desirability of increasing the consumption of fishery products in countries such as Mexico, which have a low rate, for which effective consumer promotion programmes are required.
In addition, they talked about the assistance to producers requiring incentives for consolidation.
Earlier this month, the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) announced the provision of MXN 600 million (USD 46.3 million) for shrimp producers in the country in order to maintain a sustainable shrimp production and ensure supply of the resource this year.
Moreover, with the participation of governments of Sinaloa, Sonora and Nayarit, the federal government created a fund of MXN 143.5 million (USD 11 million) to support farmers affected by atypical diseases that reduce farmed shrimp production.
Shrimp production decreased by 40,000 tonnes last year due to the atypical diseases affecting farmed products.
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